One too many years of meeting people who cared too much about his family’s wealth (and then his own, once he grew to be financially independent from them) has taught Mars that there are certain things people will always expect from him, and that being rich is one of them. Could he really be blamed for thinking Cian may expect the same?
[break][break]
Maybe that’s just another one of those insecurities he hides even from himself.
[break][break]
’So, when did you learn to make French toast?’
[break][break]
Once again, the word distracts him, if only for a second. It’s the sizzling of the pan that brings him back to reality, and he flips over the slices before answering Cian’s question:
[break][break]
”A few years ago, when I moved to Veilstone to study. I wanted to live on my own, but by the time I wake up there usually isn’t a lot of places open where to have breakfast... Hence, French toast.”
[break][break]
Back then the nightmares that haunted him had been different, but they still came on some nights. Things like making breakfast before the sun even rose made for a good distraction when his sleep was interrupted and nights were particularly bad.

[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

"damn, how late did you used to wake up?"

compared to now where mars would wake up at the crack of dawn from nightmares that remind him of his past. it makes cian a little sad to realize he'll never really get to have a lazy sunday with mars where they just chill and do nothing all day, but running is just as good if it means helping mars.

"what would you rate your french toast out of ten?"

Martín del Mar

☉

You.
[break][break]
”Not late. I don’t think I’ve ever woken up late… other than when really hungover.”
[break][break]
The words come with a laugh, but is it really something to laugh about? Nightmares haunted his sleep since he was a child, he was kept on a tight schedule by the Marzáns, and even when he left them and finally gained some freedom by living on his own, that routine persisted. It still remains unbroken.
[break][break]
He laughs because it’s easier to laugh about it. To pretend as if he has chosen this.
[break][break]
Maybe one day things will be different. Maybe one day his nights will be peaceful and he will feel safe and comfortable enough not to get out of bed stupidly early in the morning. Maybe Cian will be the reason for it.
[break][break]
One day…
[break][break]
”Oh. Twelve, for sure, and you better agree or you’ll make me sad.”
[break][break]
Mars smirks at him, but is he really joking?
[break][break]
”Coffee, or do you want something else?”


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

maybe one day.

until then, they'll have a chance to work on their cardio every morning. oh, and run, too, he guesses.

"twelve it is."

the smirk might be there but cian knows mars would probably feel sad if he had said anything but twelve. he knows, because he'd feel the same way.

"mmm coffee sounds great. i'll have a cappuccino, please."

Martín del Mar

☉

He would actually be sad, but of course Mars is too prideful to ever admit to that.
[break][break]
Still, Cian agrees before even trying the French toast, and even though there’s no way he could know if they’re actually good just yet and could very well hate them, it still makes Mars happy to hear that.
[break][break]
”You’re perfect, babe.”
[break][break]
A kiss is blown his way, and the words are honest.
[break][break]
After that, it only takes a couple more minutes for the French toast to be ready, and Mars carefully plates them along with some berries for the two of them.
[break][break]
”Cappuccino, huh? Best I can do is adding some milk, take it or leave it.”
[break][break]
Mars is no barista, okay? Despite the hours spent in the Baristacats kitchen...



[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

sometimes, little white lies have their place. trying your spouse's food when they don't usually cook, for example, is one of those times.

you're perfect, babe.

"i know."

a wink is thrown back in response to the kiss, bellowing it out of the way.

"a latte's fine, too."

which is really just coffee and milk, so mars is good to go.

Martín del Mar

☉

”Who’s the one being fancy now? Latte it is, then.”
[break][break]
Thankfully for Cian, Mars does know a latte is, and unlike the way things were on his own birthday, this time he’s actually quite competent with things. It might be that he learned a few things since then, or it might be that he actually has much more experience with making a simple breakfast than a fancy dinner.
[break][break]
He even goes to quickly set the table for them while taking the food, and that part was definitely learned after his birthday.
[break][break]
Coffee and French toast.
[break][break]
Simple, but delicious.
[break][break]
”Ready to try your amazing breakfast, babe?”
[break][break]
Amazing is definitely an exaggeration, but it’s probably pretty good.
[break][break]
Solid twelve, if considering the fact that there's no one else in the world that Mars would make breakfast for.

[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

this time, no distractions pull them away from setting up the table and as disappointed as that makes him, he's also a little glad because breakfast looks amazing.

maybe there's no need for a white lie after all.

"so ready, babe. this looks amazing."

cian wastes no time digging in, soon taking the first bite.

"fuck. that's a thirteen, not gonna lie."

Martín del Mar

☉

There will be time for distractions later. On the jet, or maybe even after breakfast. After all, when have they ever been able to control themselves and wait when it comes to things like those?
[break][break]
It probably would have happened while making breakfast too, if Mars hadn’t told himself to focus because he could screw this up so very easily.
[break][break]
So, while the momentary lack of distractions is a shame, it’s also definitely something to be thankful for, because without it they wouldn’t have this nice breakfast.
[break][break]
Does it really look amazing?
[break][break]
It’s kind of basic and kind of lame compared to a lot of the breakfasts Mars has had in the past, but it still makes him happy to hear that Cian thinks so. Too happy, perhaps.
[break][break]
Why does his heart flutter when being told something so simple?
[break][break]
He can’t help but chuckle at the next comment, and the smile that follows is as genuine as it is radiant and warm.
[break][break]
”I’m glad you like it.”
[break][break]
Since, in the end, it’s all for Cian’s sake.
[break][break]
”You better not expect me to make you breakfast all the time now, though.”
[break][break]
Mars smirks then.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

"i dunno, babe. i could really get used to this."

even though he had meant it as a joke, the thought of mars cooking breakfast for him more does warm him, but he knows it'd be a little dangerous for him to expect too much. besides, he likes cooking for them and he'll gladly continue to do so.

"even the latte's good."

to be fair, it's hard to mess up a latte. it's mostly just pouring milk into coffee.

"thank you, mars."

Martín del Mar

☉

In the end, it’s probably better if Cian sticks to doing the cooking, because at least he enjoys it and Mars will always love it when he prepares meals for them. But, because he does, he can also understand why Cian would like it when he does the same, so maybe making breakfast once in a while wouldn’t be too bad even if he doesn’t really care for cooking…
[break][break]
Only when it's for Cian.
[break][break]
How often can they eat French toast before they get sick of it, though?
[break][break]
”Fine, maybe I’ll do it again sometime – if you really like it that much.”
[break][break]
He rolls his eyes about it but there’s also a grin to follow this; caring little to hide how happy it makes him that Cian is enjoying all of this. Even if it’s simple. Even if it’s something anyone could have done.
[break][break]
As easily as usual, he meets his gaze and smiles.
[break][break]
”Anything for you, babe.”


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

they could probably eat french toast for a while before they get sick of it. until then, mars will have plenty of time to learn another dish. maybe scrambled eggs on toast? chicken on toast? ask THEO BECKETT for tips.

soon, his utensils are set back down as he leans back to enjoy the rest of his coffee.

"so, you ready?"

Martín del Mar

☉

Later on, once Cian’s’s birthday is over, Mars will probably try to think of other things he could make for breakfast if he were to prepare it for them again. He’ll maybe give a couple of things a try and probably make a mess out of the kitchen that his personal chef puts so much effort into keeping tidy and neat.
[break][break][break]
But, for now, breakfast is right about the last thing on his mind…
[break][break]
”Mmm… Not quite.”
[break][break]
His utensils are also down on an empty plate now, and he sips what’s left of his coffee while looking at Cian. The next words casually and without apparent implications. Hell, there isn’t even a smirk:
[break][break]
”I think we may actually have some time to spare…”
[break][break]
One second... Two seconds... Only then the smirk tugs at his lips.



[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER